Working Tog
eth
tates
S
er
12
OUR MISSION
We work together to ensure safe and sufficient water supplies by increasing the scope and positive impact
of multi-state water outreach and research efforts in the North Central Region of the United States.
OUR GOALS
Grow Networks
Increase connectivity & learning among
university professionals and our partners
engaged in water-related research,
education and management
Build Capacity
Generate Impact
Strengthen the resource base
available for extension education
Generate measurable
environmental and social impacts
in the short and long term
Our network leverages local and regional connections
to enhance collaboration around common water issues
OUR FOCUS AREAS
Nutrient and manure management
Climate change and adaption
Youth water literacy and stewardship
Sustainable water supply
Soil health
Watershed management
Land use and development practices
Aquatic invasive species
prevention and management
The Extension-based leadership team helps universities
and partners access the expertise, programs and
research they need to make meaningful impacts
WE DELIVER
Newsletters
Webinars
Annual Conferences
Regional Initiatives
PARTNER INSTITUTIONS
@northcentralh2o #northcentralwater #science2success
northcentralwater.org
ACCELERATING LEARNING
REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Program Newsletters
•
Highlights state and regional programs and activities
•
Promotes events and funding opportunities
•
Connects over 1300 university, agency, and private
sector partners to valuable news and resources
that impact the entire region
The Current Webinar Series
•
Speed networking webinars have featured more than
50 educators and researchers
•
Nearly 500 water professionals have participated to date,
and over 800 people have viewed the webinars on YouTube.
•
Informs participants of the latest research and best
management practices related to high priority water issues
2014 Conference
North Central Region Water Network 2014 Conference:
Extension Beyond Borders: Strengthening Networks
for Water Resource Management
• Over 120 attendees
4 out of 5 people stated they
deepened connections & met new people
“The networking will assist in training for and execution
of water quality programming.”
“The conference provided an opportunity to develop a proposal
for a regional soil health collaboration.”
“By gaining greater awareness of what others are doing it inspired
me to think beyond our states extension borders.”
KEY:
Grow Networks
Build Capacity
Generate Impact
The Network has supported Extension professionals across the North Central Region in the development of several work groups*.
Here are some examples of how we’re helping educators and researchers translate science to success:
Stormwater
Core Curriculum
Effective storm water management keeps
homes and businesses safe from flooding,
reduces water treatment costs, protects
water quality, and can provide recreational
and aesthetic value. Working regionally,
Network members produced storm water
education modules that may be used
in the North Central Region and
nationally. They can be adapted to
address state and local needs. This
approach to storm water education
makes efficient use of educators’ time
and increases the accessibility of
stormwater training resources.
Workshop for
Irrigation Professional
in the North Central Region
Nutrient Management Partnership
for Agriculture and Water Quality
in the Mississippi River Basin
Increasing precision in irrigation
practices across the North Central
Region is critical for agricultural
production and sustainably managing
water resources. Network members
participating in this initiative are
increasing the ability of Extension and
other knowledge providers to help
farmers with irrigation management,
ultimately leading to increased water
and nutrient use efficiency, energy
savings, and long-term water availability.
Efficient use of nutrients in agriculture
benefits farmers and water quality.
SERA-46 is a combined research and
extension effort in the North Central
and Southern land-grant regions to
work with the Mississippi River and
Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient
Task Force (Hypoxia Task Force) and its
member agencies to increase adoption
of effective nutrient management
practices for agricultural productivity
and water quality. SERA-46 and the
Hypoxia Task Force have developed a
list of shared priorities and are currently
completing the first round of research
and outreach products.
Youth Water Literacy and Stewardship
A Youth Water Workgroup has been formed with assistance from the 4-H and Youth Development Program Area and leadership
from across the North Central Region. Participants from North Central states are sharing a growing list of educational resources
and have completed a white paper outlining priorities for youth water education in the region. The white paper emphasizes
water literacy, STEM and technology education as important skills for 21st Century workforce, and place-based education and
civic engagement as rich frameworks for youth education that addresses water resource issues.
* For summaries of all Network initiatives, including leader contact information, please see: http://northcentralwater.org/network-initiatives/
@northcentralh2o #northcentralwater #science2success
northcentralwater.org